Pro Field Report

Basic Information

Observation Details

Observation Date:
January 31, 2021
Submitted:
January 31, 2021
Observer:
SAC - Scott Savage
Zone or Region:
Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns
Location:
RECREATIONAL DAY: Galena Summit - Cross (8400-9200' E-SE: NW but just at ridgetop 9200')

Signs of Unstable Snow

Recent Avalanches? 
Yes
Cracking? 
None Experienced
Collapsing? 
Isolated
Very minor cracking on leeward NW side of the Cross at ridgetop, only traveling a couple meters. One collapse around 8600' in a sheltered area. I got a reliable second-hand report of a large collapse on a NW aspect on the Salmon River side of the Cross.

Bottom Line

Purely recreational day in non-avalanche terrain, so very limited observations/information. The fact we got a sizable collapse in heavily traveled terrain and received a reliable report of an extensive, rumbling collapse on the NW side of the cross are not surprising and support the basic premise: it's going to be sketchy out there while the snowpack SLOWLY adjusts to the large, rapid snow load from this week.

Advanced Information

Weather Summary

Cloud Cover:
Partly Cloudy
Temperature:
Teens and low 20s F
Wind:
Moderate , S
New/Recent Snowfall:
No new snow past 24 hrs. Snowpack was supportable today, unlike Thurs and Friday.

Some small SH laying down on the surface. Winds were moving a tiny bit of snow at the ridgeline while we were out (12-4PM) but not really loading anything, just blowing in tracks on the very summit of the Cross and sifting snow onto the top few meters of the NW side. Lots of snow available for transport, so an increase in winds could change the equation. There was a razor crust 1 cm below the surface in the most sheltered S-SE facing terrain below about 8700' (where we had our only sizable collapse). Snow surfaces stayed cool today.

Snowpack Observations

No formal observations.

Terrain Use

We made a pre-trip decision to stay out of avalanche terrain and stuck with that.